Many of us have made some resolutions as we kick off 2019. It’s not uncommon to hear that someone wants to “lose weight” or “get in shape” in the upcoming year….And these are great resolutions to make as we strive to achieve wellness. The most common starting place for these resolutions is cutting back on calories and starting a new workout plan….And those are great areas to address!
Many people are also looking for “the secret” to achieve these kinds of wellness goals. Although there is not one secret trick to losing weight and getting in shape, there are a few small things that are often overlooked that can make a big difference.
First of all, are you getting enough sleep? It’s no secret that not sleeping enough can cause weight gain. So can getting enough sleep help with weight loss? Absolutely!!! Hunger is controlled by hormones that are directly affected by sleep. Adequate sleep has such a powerful effect on metabolism, and it may have just as much impact on losing weight as diet and exercise. In fact some studies show that inadequate sleep (less than 7 hours per night) can undo the benefits of a healthy diet. So put on your pj’s, turn off the lights, and get some extra sleep!
In addition to catching those extra Z’s, drinking water is crucial for your overall health and wellness. Water has ZERO calories and it is a great tool to curb hunger and reduce calorie intake. Drinking water before a meal can help decrease the total number of calories consumed but giving the feeling of being full. And drinking water certainly helps reduce calorie intake, if you are replacing a high-calorie drink with a zero calorie glass of water. According to the CDC most adults consume less than 4 glasses of water per day (the rule of thumb is 8 glasses per day). Erin makes sure to drink a glass of water before each of her meals and she finds she eats less than she would otherwise. Although you will have to do more than just drink water to lose a significant amount of weight, it is definitely a good place to start.
With technology today, it’s getting easier to monitor your water intake and your sleep habits. There are a multitude of water reminders and sleep trackers available to download, not to mention apps that help you to unwind and fall asleep (Melissa’s favorite app is Calm). Search the app store and see what’s out there!
No matter what goals you have set for the new year, paying attention to water consumption and nightly sleep habits will help each of us to feel better each day….with the added bonus of helping with those weight loss goals!